The challenge of facing an Oilers team in free-fall, McLellan’s concerns about Havlat and Nieto — and more

The Sharks are facing an Edmonton Oilers team tonight in the process of setting franchise records for futility.

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The Oilers haven’t scored a goal in their last three home games (a franchise records) and that’s something that hasn’t been done in the NHL since the 1972-72 Minnesota North Stars. If the Sharks shut them out for a fourth consecutive home game, Edmonton will tie the NHL mark set by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1929 and the Montreal Maroon two years before that.

So is Todd McLellan going to remind his players what happened Nov. 5 when the Buffalo Sabres, another NHL doormat, came into the SAP Center and skated away with a 5-4 shootout win.

“They’re smart people,” the Sharks coach said. “If I have to go in and remind them what happened 10 days ago, I’d be disappointed.”

McLellan added that tonight’s situation is a little different and, strangely, that could work to San Jose’s advantage.

“We were fresh and at home against Buffalo,” he said. “Sometimes we play better in these situations, where we’re a little more rundown. We’re a little more positional, we have to rely on everybody and we’re hoping that happens.”

*****McLellan has been giving increased ice time to John McCarthy and James Sheppard and in Thursday night’s 2-1 OT win in Vancouver, they had more combined ice time than Marty Havlat and Matt Nieto.

But if two guys are rising, two others are falling.

“You’re never stationary,” McLellan said. “You’re either working your way up or you’re working your way down.”

McLellan said the two guys working their way down at the moment are in different circumstances.

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“Marty has now played seven games, he’s through his so-called exhibition season as I mentioned earlier,” the coach said. “We talked a lot about being patient with him and letting him play his way into shape and his timing and all that type of stuff. We’ve done that. Now it’s about results.”

Against Vancouver, Havlat played 11:27, but was invisible on the score sheet – not one shot, miss, attempt blocked, hit, giveaway, takeaway, faceoff result etc. etc. etc. etc. I can’t recall ever seeing that before and it probably explains McLellan’s apparent frustration, restrained as it was.

As for Nieto, McLellan said, it’s “a different story for him a little bit where he’s a smaller player that’s played through the early part of the NHL. Now it’s become even more of a man’s game. I’m sure fatigue sets in a little bit and the mental part of being a young player in the league is also a strain on him.”

Each, McLellan added, “has different challenges, like anybody else. But we’ve got to win games and they’ve got to produce.”

****Alex Stalock is back in goal tonight and I don’t think any explanation is needed. Antti Niemi had a strong game against the Canucks, and the back-to-back situation in a long road trip pretty much dictated this would be a Stalock start regardless.

McLellan also said he might make one change on the forward lines, but would keep things the same on defense.

And Joe Pavelski will start the game centering the third line, and not as a wing with Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau, where Pavelski finished up in Vancouver.

“If we have to start shuffling guys around and go to three lines early, it’s going to be hard on our guys,” McLellan said. “We know that. So with that being said, you expect everybody to show up and contribute.”

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

Wow! Mr Softie players coach has never really benched a healthy star, no matter how lazy or poorly they played. Well, message sent. Let’s see if it is received and he is motivated. I smell a trade a brewing!

Sharksfansince1991

Tonight will be the Sharks first regulation victory since Havlat has returned. And only because Havlat is being kept out tonight.

Goodbye Marty! We will not miss you.

renoshark

Do the “total rebuild” supporters on WTC, and you know who you are, still favor the Edmonton model as the way to go for San Jose someday? That model is in line, yet again, for the first overall pick again this year. That is one trainwreck of a franchise. Glad DW doesn’t buy into that theory.

Stevo

Reno, I think FireDW, NoCupwithNoBrains, et.al are gone or changed their “tune” around here.

Either way, I’m happy. You happy? Is everyone else happy? Mr. Pollak, are you happy?

Alex

People who are against rebuild always, always, always cite the example of Edmonton, as if things ALWAYS go this way. You can rebuild successfully and get back into contention within a few years (see Pitt and Chicago).

Stevo

PIT was garbage forever until they got Malkin and Crosby etc. CHI was the same until they won the Cup with tons of young guns from eons of top draft picks.

Is your point that a team can suck for decades, never be called a “rebuild” until it wins the Cup?

So, in that sense, you are correct when you say EDM is not a model of a team “rebuilding”.

Jim

Or the Sharks themselves in ’96 and ’97, when they went into rebuilding mode for two years but were able to draft Sturm, Marleau, and Hannan in the first rounds (plus Stuart the following year) – they’ve only missed the playoffs one time since then.

SactoShark

Couture gets so pissy when everyone else scores and he cant hit the back of the net.

Pavs and Marleau as the usual ones to be relied on.

Stevo

Wow, the horrible Sharks are 1 point out of 1st in the NHL.

I love horrible.

Stevo

You called it 1991.

And I won’t miss Marty eiter.

Buddy Elf

Marleaus continual goal celebrations are god awful.

Stevo

I hope Desi’s beak isn’t busted. He’ll be playing checkers with Chewie if that’s the case.

Stevo

Mr. Invisible?? He scores??

No way.

spooky

how many years was CHI rebuilding before they won the cup again? i bet more than years the what is your age.

spooky

very good win today. this game had all the ingredients for a surprise.
i am realy totaly curious how can a whatever milion dollar guy miss at least 1/8th of a season with us knowing nothing about his injury.

Buddy Elf

The Mr Invisible thing is mind-blowing to me… Marleau has scored in half of his 20 games this season… compare that to a Couture who has only scored goals in 7 of 20 games this season, a Pavelski who has only scored goals in 6 of 20 games this season, a Hertl who has scored in only 8 games (of 20) this season…

GP_hockeyhappens

If Couture quits hockey, we know where he’ll acquire some “date options.”

ZEKE

in order to be a good team, you really do need to beat the bad teams consistently — get those easier points.

We’ve played 5 games against teams that have the same or fewer points than games played (Rangers, Calgary twice, Buff and EDM). In those 5 games, we have 9 out of 10 possible points.

So far, so good.

G-bum-man

Good point Zeke. If Team Teal had beaten the Sabres (which Wingels DID) the Sharks would have the best record in the NHL. Only a blown call has made the difference

Sharon Mistic

so in 7 games havlat should have his legs and timing back? harsh

Wonderogre

More like: after 7 games Havlat shouldn’t look like he’s in his first game back.

SactoShark

Its been three years

G-bum-man

In 7 games back, Havlat should look like he WANTS to play hockey and win. He showed that in the first game back, but has showed less and less since the adrenaline wore off. The guy has ZERO passion for the game right now. He is just wandering around out there, hoping something good will happen for him. To be an NHL eilte player you gotta MAKE things happen. He used to do that with Chicago.

spooky

just want to go back to the VAN game because i was waiting on scoring chances stats and because everybody talking about how Niemi stole or sharks stole the game. While i still agree VAN was a better team, but the scoring chances only were: 13-15 for vancouver – so for me 1-1 after regulation is normal and OK. VAN could have had more quality chances but I would definitely NOT TALK about hockey GODS giving us any favours yet. And not talk about any steals. just wanted to say this.

Jeff M

When you take up 5 million (4th highest on Sharks) in salary cap space, 7 games is 6 games too many.

It’s funny what sorts of statistics you can come up with when you arbitrarily pick a 20 game window to look at. Not just in this case, but in general.

Anyway, Marleau’s not invisible, he’s just not nearly as visible as he should be, and that’s been the case over most of his career. For a guy with the speed he has, he spends way too much time floating around. He’s a very physically gifted but not particularly smart hockey player. Sort of the anti-Pavelski.

Wonderogre

The only thing that makes less sense than arbitrarily using Edmonton as a rebuilding comparison (over a team like, say, Chicago) is calling what Edmonton is doing a ‘rebuilding.’ The “Edmonton Model” consists of trying to run talented young players into the ground, not actually rebuilding anything.

Wonderogre

Yeah, if you are terrible enough for a few years to rack up enough high draft picks to build yourself a core – see: Chicago, Pittsburgh, NYI, Capitals, and Edmonton [the latter failing miserably].

It’s not exactly a viable strategy for a team that hasn’t missed the playoffs in almost a decade.

Huh?

What was that term someone used, “mediocre”? I’ll take this for mediocrity.

Clemenza

I believe the phrase is “god-awful.”

Huh?

Well, here’s a clue on how long CHI was rebuilding. The Sharks GM played there from the late 1970s through to when the Sharks got him, and since I fact-checked, that was 14 seasons. He’s never won a Cup. Roenick also played there for quite a bit of is career, and also never won a Cup. Rebuilding was a way of life for the Blackhawks. The Bruins went for about 30 years without a Cup. And the Canadiens last won when I was young. But here’s a question. If your team is 13-2-5 and 2nd in the League in points (with 2 games in hand over the Ducks), why do they need to rebuild?

Huh?

Not sure I agree. I think he needs to be scratched, but none of us know what’s going on in his head. He’s not used to this style of play, and may not be capable of fitting in. That could explain him looking lost.

spooky

i disagree. i dont think its adrenaline wore off thing. I dont think its passion thing. I dont think its wandering around.

Its injury. He is injured he can’t move. Once not healthy its easy to missread a person and label him not passionate, waiting on things to happen. I think first couple of games he was healthy felt good. Now he is playing hurt. I am affraid his carrier is in jeopardy.

Wonderogre

‘As usual’ is a weird thing to say for a guy who’s out-goaled and out-produced them both over the last two seasons, but oooookay.

Huh?

I was going to make a sarcastic post about how putrid the Sharks are, but it would be flogging a dead horse.

But how about that over-the-hill gang? Thornton got 3 assists, Marleau a goal. And that drought-stricken farm system coughed up Hertl, who ain’t too shabby.

But I gotta say this. Buddy, I get your point about Couture, and agree with some of your criticisms. But you are starting to sound like the Marleau haters that never have anything good to say about Patrick. Just sayin’

Huh?

When did Havlat become a star? And remember, Stuart got some splinters in his street clothes a couple of games ago.

Sharon Mistic

After the surgery he had 5 months ago? Harsh

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Huh?

Since Phat Stat Phil is sleeping on the job, the Sharks are 1st in the League in plus/minus with 26+, tied for first in scoring with 71 goals, and 8th in goals allowed with 45. Totally mediocre.

Buddy Elf

My use of the troll’s phrase didn’t trigger your sarcasm alarm?

FireTheGM

Here we go again with fans crowning the Sharks as Stanley Cup Champions in November. Still excited to see all those Championship banners hanging in the arena…Oh wait!!!!!

FireTheGM

Yeah and we have never seen this before from the Sharks. Was it the year we won the Presidents trophy, yea that team proved to be great in the playoffs…oh wait..

Every time I read one of your posts Huh? I think Buddy Elf because only someone with the name of Huh could think Couture deserves criticism like you and Elf give him.

As for Marleau yeah sweet goal against a bad Edmonton team. Nice for him to contribute after missing from the stat sheet for what 8 games. Not bad for the greatest (Lol) player in Sharks history.

And about the drought-stricken farm system…hmmm okay then

Buddy Elf

Arbitrarily? How about the fact that the Sharks have played 20 games this season and the top goal scorers on the Sharks have played in all 20.

Not too arbitrary in my opinion, since people are using his performance this season to resurrect the name. He has scored I more games this season than any other Shark

Buddy Elf

And yet, Marleau has scored in more games this season that any other Shark…

FireTheGM

As I look at the official NHL stats in Give ways like you and Buddy love to talk about I see Marleau and Couture tied at 15 of course with the difference being Couture has 15 take aways, and Marleau 7. So overall it looks like Marleau is a -8 in takeaway giveaways while Couture is even. In faceoffs Marleau is 45.8% and Couture is 55.1%.

Buddy Elf

LOL… Alex learned how to switch to his other puppet names again? How sad.

No one crowned them Cup champions. They are responding to the ridiculous statements that the Sharks are mediorce, horrible and god-awful.